Techniques to Assemble, Design, Fabricate, Install, Specify, and Use Structures Combining Different Member Types for Building Construction Framing and Comparable Applications

ABSTRACT

An apparatus interconnects a metal stud fastened with a metal fastener and a wood stud fastened with a wood fastener. The metal stud includes a face wall and two side walls each extending away from the face wall to define a channel in between. Also included are two stud connector supports opposed to one another and a connector cross-support fixed to two stud connector supports transversely spaced apart to define a first stud receiver opposite a second stud receiver. The first stud receiver includes two side tabs each defined by a different one of the two stud connector supports, a medial tab defined by the connector cross-support, and two slots each defined between the medial tab and a different one of the two side tabs. A first one of the two side tabs defines a first tab aperture to receive the metal fastener to fasten the metal stud to the first stud receiver. The second stud receiver includes two side rails each defined by a different one of the two stud connector supports. A first one of the two side rails defines a first rail aperture to receive the wood fastener to fasten the wood stud to the second stud receiver.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to different support member types incombination; and more particularly (but not exclusively) pertains to thearchitecture, assembly, bracing, componentry, configuration,construction, design, fabrication, implementation, installation,interconnection, kitting, operation, performance, planning, processing,reinforcement, and use of structures including building studs ofdifferent materials for wall framing and comparable applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

On an annual basis, the construction industry ordinarily generates morethan five-hundred billion dollars ($500,000,000) of the United States(U.S.) Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and it is generally expected thatthis amount will increase in the future based on currentpredictions—perhaps reaching or even exceeding one trillion dollars($1,000,000,000) in a few years. Concomitant with such loftyexpectations, competitive pressure routinely challenges constructionbusinesses to improve efficiency without compromising performanceunacceptably. For instance, high-efficiency “light frame” constructionpractices have been widely adopted to fabricate a variety of residentialbuildings (e.g. single-family homes/houses, townhouses, duplexes,triplexes, fourplexes, and higher density multifamily, MultiDwellingUnits (MDUs) like apartment/condominium complexes, etc.). Such practicesare more specifically described hereafter, but first certain underlyingterminology and related aspects are described as follows.

In general, a “frame” refers to a structure that at least partlysupports and/or shapes a building feature such as a wall, roof, floorplatform, ceiling (usually defined by the underside of a roof and/orfloor platform), or the like. Consistent with this understanding andcontext, “framework” and “framing” each refer to a single frame,multiple frames, and/or a frame system. Also, “framing” further refersto the act of providing any frame(s), framework(s), and frame system(s).Designation of such terms specific to a building feature type like the“wall” type often takes the form “wall frame,” “wall framework,” and“wall framing,” respectively. Further, the verb “to frame” includes toassemble, build, construct, design, fabricate, form, install, make,prepare, provide, and/or supply a frame(s), framework(s), or framingoften for a particular building feature type as in “frame a wall” or thelike. A typical frame includes rigidly fixed mechanical members (“framemembers” or just “members”) provided as a single unitary piece ofmaterial with the frame members each being a different portion thereof,a construct of rigidly fixed frame members formed by assembling/fittingtogether originally separate, independent components, or any combinationof the foregoing. A building feature is usually finished by applyingmaterial to the structure defined by a frame.

“Light frame” construction practices (“light framing”) utilize framemembers that are lighter and thinner than those of certain alternativeframe construction practices—usually seeking to minimize the overallamount of frame member material consumed. For light framing, solid woodframe members tend to be used to a greater extent than those ofalternative material such as metal, engineered wood, or any of variousother materials—although a preference for each of these tends to arisespecific to certain circumstances. As used herein, “wood material” and“wooden material” each refers to any composition that includes one ormore of solid wood, engineered wood, and a substance derived from wood

For light framing, construction lumber of certain sizes and grades isused to provide solid wood frame members. Usually, the bulk of lightframing members are noticeably elongated with a length much greater thanany other dimension (often well-more than ten times greater) includinghorizontally extending plates to secure various framing structures,ceiling/floor joists, angularly framed roof rafters, and verticallyextending building “studs” routinely used for wall framing.Consequently, light frame construction sometimes is described as “stickbuilding,” “stick construction,” and the like.

Efforts to establish specific standardized sizes and grades ofconstruction lumber (for framing or the like) hope to make lumberproduction/manufacture more cost-effective and commensurately increasewidespread availability of standardized construction lumber from localsuppliers. For instance, the National Institute of Standards andTechnology (NIST) Voluntary Product Standard PS 20-15 entitled:“American Softwood Lumber Standard” (April 2015) (hereafter “PS 20-15”)resulted from such efforts. PS 20-15 defines a category ofsize-standardized “dimension” lumber (also called “dimensional” lumber)by reference to a set/range of different standard lumber sizes subjectto an acceptable degree of variation/tolerance. Dimension lumberrequirements are largely orchestrated to be suitable for use as framemembers. Also, dimension lumber grading generally aligns with thevarious structural/performance-based needs of light frameconstruction—delineating different grades based on certain target lumberdesign values indicative of suitability for a particular purpose(usually in terms of certain material properties like strength,stiffness, etc.). In fact, PS 20-15 explicitly recognizes that variousdimension lumber sizes/grades may be called framing, joists, planks,rafters, or studs.

Dimension lumber pieces generally have the same shape that resembles aform of rectangular hexahedron in solid geometry terms (also a cuboid,right or rectangular cuboid, rectangular parallelepiped, or rightrectangular prism). For a given lumber piece, this shape has six (6)ideally flat, rectangular faces each extending parallel to one otherface set-apart opposite therefrom and meeting the remaining four (4)faces perpendicularly to define the four (4) sides/edges of itsrectangular perimeter. Correspondingly, each side/edge of a givenrectangular face is shared where two faces meet perpendicularly. While aface with four (4) equal sides defines a square, it should be understoodthat a square is a form of rectangle in planar geometry terms.Otherwise, two opposed sides of a rectangular face are sized differentlythan the other two opposed sides. In correspondence to such shaping,each dimension lumber piece has three (3) actual linear dimensionsextending in three (3) mutually perpendicular directions. Each dimensionrepresents the true/real quantified straight line distance over whichsuch dimension extends, being specifically designated as actual/truethickness (AT), width (AW), and length (AL)—where thickness AT and widthAW are often much less than length AL as expressed in the inequalityAT≤AW<<AL. The actual as-applied three-dimensional (3-D)characterization of a dimension lumber piece routinely is expressed “ATby AW by AL” (AT×AW×AL) and in the U.S. it is widely understood thatthickness AT and width AW values are in units of the inch (″) and lengthAL values are in units of the foot (′).

In correspondence to such a shape in the ideal, a dimension lumber piecehas two end faces generally separated by length AL that each approximatea rectangle with dimensions of “AT by AW” (equivalent to AT×AW).Further, a cross-section taken transverse to the longitudinal directionof the lumber piece approximates a rectangular profile with roughlyconstant/uniform (AT by AW or AT×AW) dimensions from one of the twoopposed end faces to the other. The remaining four faces longitudinallyextend between to span two opposed end faces. Two of these longitudinalfaces are oppositely disposed edge faces with rectangular dimensions ATby AL (AT×AL) with an approximate separation distance of width AW. Theother two longitudinal faces are opposed side faces with rectangulardimensions AW by AL (AW×AL) with an approximate separation distance ofthickness AT.

Per PS 20-15 lumber is a manufactured product derived from a log bysawing or planing (generally includes solid wood and engineered wood).The initial separation of lumber from a log of a suitable tree speciesor otherwise deriving lumber therefrom often involves lengthwise(longitudinal) sawing along the wood grain (or proximately so)—commonlyreferred to as ripping, rip-sawing, rip-cutting, or the like.Ordinarily, the saw equipment best-suited to perform ripping operations(and to a lesser extent various other equipment-aided procedures e.g.handling, transport, etc.) imparts a relatively rough and uneven surfacetexture to the longitudinal faces with evident tool marks onoccasion—commonly identified as “rough-sawn,” “rough-cut,” or just“rough lumber” in the industry. Also, rough lumber tends to have anunacceptable degree of dimensional variation and/or otherwise lackssufficient uniformity to be desirable. As a result, the vast majority ofrough-cut dimension lumber is supplied after its longitudinal faces havebeen processed by wood milling, jointer, and/or planarizing equipmentthat removes material to define four smoother and more planarlongitudinal faces (edge faces and side faces) sometimes referred to as“dressed” and/or “surfaced” faces/lumber. Also, machine millingsometimes rounds each of the four corners where the side faces and edgefaces meet instead of leaving sharper, more rectilinear corners. Suchrounding efforts aim to reduce the likelihood of damage caused orsustained by severely angular/sharper corners. The rounded corners mayeach corresponds to an arcuate curve subtending approximately ninetydegrees (90°) with a constant or modestly varying radius (R) that ismuch less than thickness AT (R<<AT≤AW<<AL). It should be appreciatedthat before surfacing the four longitudinal (edge and side) faces,corner rounding (if any), and like operations; the transversecross-sectional dimensions of thickness and width for rough lumbersubstantively exceed the dressed lumber thickness AT and width AW (e.g.AT by AW, AT×AW, etc.) because of the material removed by surfacing.

Despite the pervasive supply of dimension lumber with dressedlongitudinal faces, PS 20-15 designates standard sizes by reference toconstant values for undressed/rough lumber thickness and widthcross-sectional dimensions. To confuse matters further, under somecircumstances technical advancements have reduced the amount ofrough-cut excess needed to adequately dress the edge and side faces. Asa result, the rough-cut cross-sectional dimensions used to referencesize under PS 20-15 may not be consistent depending on the particulartree species involved, quality of the lumber source log, the processingequipment and/or procedures used, the specific lumber size/gradetargeted, the particular lumber manufacturer/producer, etc.—andpotentially the PS 20-15 thickness and width size values may not evenexist at all. Accordingly, the rough-lumber cross-sectional dimensionsat most are titular applying “in name only” befitting designation in PS20-15 and herein as merely “nominal”—being specifically identified asthickness NT and width NW, such that AT≤NT and AW<NW. Fortunately, theparticular pair of actual cross-sectional dimension values (AT×AW)referenced by a particular pair of (potentially nonexistent) nominalvalues (NT×NW) have all remained constant. Thus, while rooted intradition, the rough-cut dimensions used to reference a standardizedlumber size per PS 20-15 may be nothing more than an index value appliedto look-up the actual, as-applied cross-sectional dimensions of AT by AW(AT×AW).

PS 20-15 specifies three distinct nominal size categories as follows:(a) “boards” for which nominal thickness NT is less than two inches(NT<2″) and nominal width NW is greater than or equal to two inches(NW≥2″), (b) “dimension lumber” for which nominal thickness NT isgreater than or equal to two inches and less than five inches (2″≤NT<5″)and nominal width NW is greater than or equal to two inches (NW≥2″), and(c) “timbers” for which the least dimension (equivalent to nominalthickness NT as used herein) is greater than or equal to five inches(NT≥5″). Typically, within each category standardized sizes only take oncertain values that usually differ incrementally from one to that next.For instance, dimensional lumber is not only subject to theabove-indicated range of nominal thickness rNT from two to less thanfive inches (2″≤rNT<5″), but also only six (6) standardized nominalthickness NT sizes/values are recognized that include two inches (NT=2″)and each different half inch (½″) multiple from NT=2″ (2″=4×½″) upthrough four and one-half inches (NT=4½″=9×½″) (namely 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4,and 4½ all in inches. The nominal width NW of dimension lumber alsostart at two inches (NW=2″) increasing in half-inch increments upthrough five inches (NW=5″), then increasing by a one inch increment tosix inches (NW=6″) and then by two inch increments up to sixteen inches(NW=16″).

By way of example, “2 by 4” designates a typical dimension lumberframing stud by referring to nominal values for thickness (NT=2″) andwidth (NW=4″) potentially corresponding to rough-cut thickness/widthdimensions to some degree. Unless specified by special order or thelike, dimension lumber surfacing to smooth/planarize the longitudinaledge and side faces ordinarily occurs well before reaching theconstruction site. The removal of material attendant to surfacingresults in actual values for thickness of one and one half inches(AT=1½″) and width of three and one-half inches (AW=3½″) subject to anacceptable degree of variation (e.g. tolerance or the like). Inpractice, each different standardized size of dimension lumber hasunique nominal thickness NT and width NW values and unique actualthickness AT and width AW values—typically standards documentationincludes a table or similar format that lists the nominal thickness NTand width NW values commonly used to designate a particular standardizedsize and the companion pair of actual thickness AT and width AW valuesuniquely corresponding to such nominal values. Consequently, nominalNT×NW values can serve as an index to look-up the actual values.Designation of a particular precut dimension lumber length AL is byreference to an actual value ordinarily in feet (′) without involvementof a nominal value or the like. Generally, standardized precut lengthvalues are multiples of either one foot (1′) or two feet (2′) subject toany applicable requirements specified in certified grading rules.Considering the commonly available dimension lumber AT×AW sizescollectively (e.g. from 2×2 to 4.5×16 inches nominally), length ALranges from six feet I-(AL=6′) to as long as twenty-four feet (AL=24′)usually in multiples of two feet (2′). However, smaller nominalthickness NT and width NW values like 2×4 studs ordinarily do not have alength AL value at the upper end of the range. Indeed, standardizedvalues of length AL for a nominal 2×4 stud usually are multiples of twofeet (2′) ranging from six feet (AL=6′) to sixteen feet (AL=16′) andsometimes as longer (e.g. AL=18′ and/or AL=20′). In contrast much largerAT×AW sizes on the order of 2×10 and 2×12 operable as joists often arereadily available up to twenty-four feet (AL=24′).

Although often the medium of choice, solid wood is not without certainlimits. For instance, wood poses a greater fire hazard than othermaterials. While flame retardant treatment can curtail this hazard tosome extent, it poses a potential risk to the environment and health ofthose exposed to treated wood. Wood is susceptible to damage by termite,carpenter ant, carpenter bee, teredo, and other insect infestation anddecay by fungal (mold) colonization (e.g. blue stain, brown rot, dryrot, heart rot, sap stain, wet rot, white rot, and the like) that can beexacerbated by bacterial colonization. Such biologically caused wooddamage and/or decay can range from superficial cosmetic damage to majorremediation efforts to address fundamental structural failure orwidespread mold growth inside walls, ceilings, etc. Like flame retardanttreatments, treatments to reduce or prevent biologic susceptibility maytrade one problem for another by posing potential health and/orenvironmental hazards—countervailing at least some of the advantagebeing sought in the first place.

Perhaps overshadowing such concerns, is the ever-present potential ofsolid wood members to warp. Indeed, it is not unusual for wood warpingto infamously dominate most if not all of the foregoing—given thebreadth and depth accompanying its potential to result in noticeablecost overruns, schedule delays, inferior materials and/or craftsmanship,labor and/or material availability, unpredictability, and otheruncertainties. In a broad sense, warping refers to any deviation oflumber from a desired shape (planarity, smoothness, evenness, desireddimension, shape, or the like. More specific warp categories include: a“bow” along timber length l so that one of the two opposed side faces isconcave and the other is convex; a “crook/wain” forms along length lsuch that the two opposed edge faces are concave and convex,respectively; a “kink” is a localized crook (e.g. knot-caused); a “cup”causes such edges to be higher/lower than the wood face parttherebetween, a “twist/wind” roughly resembles a helix making the endsnonplanar, and the like. Other common wood defects (sometimes suspectedwarp causes) include: “check” cracking in annual growth rings part waythrough the lumber in contrast to a “split” that passes all the waythrough (sometimes even end-to-end), a “dead knot” is a knothole (oftensurrounded by a dark hole) with a loose knot piece if any is stillpresent at all. In contrast, a “tight knot” retains all its content thatis immobile, “shake” is a grain separation between growth rings thatextends along the face and sometimes below it.

While one modestly warped stud in a wall frame may pose an only slightlygreater risk of irregular appearance that likely would go unnoticed bythe casual observer, a small minority of warped studs close to oneanother tend to be cumulative in effect as to a finished wall preparedtherefrom—posing a greater risk that the appearance would be noticeablyirregular. Further, while wood studs with undue warping can bescreened-out before installation in a wall frame structure, warping canoccur after such screening as a function of changing moisture content ofthe wood and a myriad of other variables. Indeed, as presentlyunderstood, wood warping is a complex function of many variables withvarying degrees of interdependence. Generally, it is believed thatuneven, unduly fast, or unduly slow variation in the uptake or releaseof wood moisture content is frequently of primary significance.Secondarily, other potentially influences include: the tree speciesharvested for the wood; weather exposure, nutrient availability, andother environmental factors likely to impact tree development prior toharvest; moisture content of the tree at harvest; orientation,anisotropy, patterning, evenness/irregularity of wood grain, constituentfibers, and any stress or shrinkage thereof; moisture uptake capacity ofthe wood; wood cut type, (e.g. flat-sawn, quarter-sawn, radially-sawn,rift-sawn, etc. . . . ); exposure to certain environmental conditionslike certain minimum and/or maximum temperature extremes thefrequency/duration certain temperature extreme exposure, temperaturecycling exposure including relative magnitude of cycle excursions,frequency, rate of change, and variability of any of the foregoing);airflow and sunlight exposure of the wood; and the like. Although aconsensus is building as to the major factors contributing to warpformation, it remains uncertain whether a given piece of lumber willwarp and, if so, when, and to what extent. Indeed, some details relatingto warp causation and the degree certain factors contribute to warpingappear to remain in dispute—while still others seem to defy completeunderstanding (if any at all).

As used herein, “metal material,” and “metallic material” each refers toany composition that is at least fifty percent (50%) by weight comprisedof one or more metal elements (where metal elements include all elementsexcept Hydrogen (H), Deuterium (D), Tritium (T), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen(O), Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S), Selenium (Se), any Halogen, and anyNoble gas). In contrast to wood (especially solid wood lumber), metalframe members are not subject to warping, check cracking, splitting,shake and like deformities plaguing solid wood—and also are inflammableunlike solid and engineered wood. Also, biologic entities that threatenwood are generally inconsequential to metal. However, unlike wood metalframe member compositions can be susceptible to corrosion/rusting thatsometimes results in the added expense of an anticorrosion coating, andfrequently have mechanical properties inferior to those of wood (e.g.low buckling resistance). Moreover, thermal conductivity of an ordinarymetal frame member exceeds that of wood to such extent it caninadvertently become a thermal bridge that effectively bypasses thermalinsulation. More particularly, thermal bridging from the exterior wallsurface to the interior wall surface can undermine the ability tocost-effectively maintain an indoor temperature that is pleasant orsometimes just tolerable even if regulated by Heating, Venting, and AirConditioning (HVAC) equipment or other means. Accordingly, wood studsand metal studs are both far from ideal.

Even so, occasionally loadbearing wall framing utilizes structural metalmembers (e.g. cold-formed steel) a substitute for wood, but suchutilization tends to be infrequent when solid wood framing would dobecause of cost and/or other factors. More frequently, a predominantlywood-framed structure may utilize structural steel to reinforce/supportlong-span wood-framed floors/ceilings and the like. Additionally oralternatively, loadbearing wall framing with solid wood studs sometimesis used in combination with non-loadbearing wall framing withnonstructural metal studs and/or framing fire barrier walls, which havebecome fairly established metal framing niches.

As used herein, “engineered wood” broadly includes: (a) chemicallyand/or mechanically densified wood; (b) a composite with a wood-basedsubstance (e.g. wood chips, fibers, flakes, particles, sawdust, strands,and/or veneers) in combination with one or more coupling agents (e.g.one or more glues, adhesives, binders, resins, cements, thermoplasticpolymers, and/or thermoset polymers that include: composite panels (e.g.chipboard, fiberboard, particleboard, and Oriented Strand Board (OSB) orflakeboard), and structural composite lumber (e.g. laminated veneer,parallel strand, laminated strand, and oriented strand lumber); (c)wood-plastic composite mixtures of wood fibers and/or wood flour, abinder, and a thermoplastic polymer (e.g. polypropylene,polyvinylchloride polyethylene, aliphatic polyester, etc.); (d) a woodconstruct of smaller wood pieces rigidly joined together by one or morecoupling agents (e.g. finger-joint, comb-joint, I-beams, I-joists,etc.); and (e) wood laminae/plies/veneer bonded to provide plywood,cross-laminated lumber, laminated timber, etc. Engineered wood likeI-joists and structural composite lumber are used in floor, ceiling, androof framing to some extent—particularly when superior strength isrequired as compared to solid wood. Also, it should be appreciated thatplywood, OSB, and similar engineered wood panels commonly providesheathing for subflooring and exterior walls.

Other potential alternatives to solid wood, metal, and engineered woodinclude high-strength synthetic polymer compositions; and still otheralternatives are fiber-reinforced composites including one or morepolymer constituents strengthened by fibers of glass, carbon, aramid,basalt, and/or another type. Fiber orientation can be random,unidirectional, a mixture of differently directed fibers (e.g. certainfiber fabric weaves), or vary otherwise. Additionally or alternatively,composite fibers can include one or more fiber fabric layers and/orfiber fabric weaves, fiber tows, twisted and/or braided fiber bundles,and/or another single-layer or multilayer arrangement. To augment orreplace fiber reinforcement, other composites include carbon nanotubes,inorganic particulates, and/or glass microspheres to provide a degree ofreinforcement. While perhaps cost-effective under limited circumstances,such composites ordinarily fail to be competitive with other framemembers of a wood material or metal material.

At present, solid wood framing tends to remain the favored choice, andtends to be more readily available and cost-effective than othermaterials such as metal, engineered wood, and composites when requiredto bear a significant mechanical load. Despite significant advances inthe development of new materials, a cost-effective dimensional lumberreplacement remains unlikely—even considering warping potential.Consequently, there remains an ongoing demand for further contributionsin this area of technology.

By way of transition to the remainder of the present application, thepresent application may provide information to clarify, supplement,define, exemplify, or otherwise advance understanding of certain“terminology” with a “defining description” that may appear in in anyorder, association by placement adjacent one another to the extentsuitable contextually, technically, and otherwise. Such terminologycould be: any word (e.g. compound, blend, portmanteau, acronym,abbreviation, initial word forms), or other symbology (e.g. one or morealphanumeric characters, punctuation marks, mathematical expressions,and/or other marking), alone or in any phrase, character string,concatenation, mixture, multiple, or combination of the foregoing. Theterminology and defining description can be associated in any mannersuch as: linking/referral language (e.g. a verb with any other wordoptional); close proximity or adjacency; delineated with pairedpunctuation (e.g. (parentheses), ‘single’ or “double” quotes,«guillemets», [brackets], {braces}, -dashes-, etc.); a single marking inbetween e.g. a colon:, dash-, equal sign=, etc.; and/or charactercontrast in pitch, emboldening, letter case, and the like. A definingdescription can specify terminology meaning in any manner, including:direct statement/explanation, delineation of meaning scope/limits,recitation of one or more examples (e.g. a positive/inclusive exampletype, a negative/exclusive example type, or both), by comparison and/orcontrast to other terminology/meanings, etc.); originate new terminologyin exercise of a patentee's lexicographic option (e.g. one or more newwords, symbols, markings, signs, operators, or combinations of any ofthe foregoing) with the meaning specified by the defining description;specify an abridgement representative of a longer/fuller form per thedefining description (e.g. an abbreviation, acronym, initialization,blend or compound word, etc.); specify/identify/represent a value thatmay be constant or subject to a tolerance or other degree ofuncertainty; a mathematical variable with potential to vary as to atleast two values either of a numerically quantifiable variety (e.g.either a continuously or a discretely varying numeric value) or aqualitative variety with potential to vary in value non-numerically asto two or more discrete categories (qualitative discrete non-numericvalue variation); and any combination or multiple of the foregoing.

Any meaning of terminology defined herein applies in addition to anyother meaning of the associated terminology including any ordinary andcustomary meaning and any meaning as understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art pertaining to the patent application to the extentconsistent to do so with the meaning defined herein applying as analternative to any inconsistency. Further, a definition applies to agiven occurrence of the terminology without regard to format, anyaccompanying punctuation, or any difference relative to anotheroccurrence (including occurrence with the defining description) unlessexplicitly stated to the contrary. In addition, a terminology definitionshall apply to each occurrence of the terminology unless: the definingdescription of such terminology expressly specifies otherwise or asubsequent defining description differs in one or more respect toredefine the same terminology (a “redefinition”) in which case suchredefinition shall apply to any further occurrence of the terminologyfor the remainder of the present application unless specified otherwiseby its defining description or the terminology is subject to furtherredefinition.

The present application is not all-inclusive or exhaustive—being merelyrepresentative and non-exclusively exemplary. From the perspective ofthose of ordinary skill in the art pertaining to the presentapplication, any patent claim that follows or innovation otherwisedescribed herein can be practiced without one or more details includedin the description and/or with one or more additional features,elements, aspects, or the like not recited therein. Any obviousaddition, modification, deletion, combination, or other variation of thepresent application teachings is also within the scope of any properlyconstrued patent claim appended hereto or innovation otherwise describedherein. Accordingly, the information provided herewith (including anydrawing figure) is not intended to narrow the scope of any patent claimthat follows—as compared to the scope of such patent claim defined bythe language recited therein when properly construe.

SUMMARY

Certain forms of the present application relate to unique architecture,assemblies, apparatus, applications, bracing, building frames,componentry, configurations, devices, fabrication, implementation,installation, interconnectors, kitting, methodologies, operations,processing, structures, and systems. Further forms include uniquetechniques involving building studs of distinct types applied incombination. Other forms of the present application are directed tounique construction framing that includes building studs of differentmaterials.

Another form of the present application includes a finishing stud with aface wall and two members each extending away from the face wall and astud interconnector. The interconnector comprises a first end portiondefining a finishing stud receiver, a second end portion defining astructural stud receiver opposite the finishing stud receiver, and anintermediate portion fixed to the first end portion and the second endportion to extend therebetween. The finishing stud receiver includes twotabs structured to each engage a different one of the two members inbearing contact if the finishing stud is correspondingly aligned withthe finishing stud receiver and brought together therewith. Thestructural stud receiver includes two arms structured to receive astructural stud therebetween. In certain variations of this form, thefinishing stud is comprised of a metallic material and/or the structuralstud is comprised of a wood material; the finishing stud includes thetwo members each as a different one of two opposed walls set apart todefine a recess therebetween and the finishing stud receiver includes atongue member spaced apart from each of the two tabs to correspondinglydefine two slots—being structured to intermesh with the finishing studif the two slots each receive a different one of the two members betweenthe tongue member and a different one of the two tabs and the recessreceives the tongue member; the finishing stud receiver includes springbiasing to define a stud clip with the two tabs opposite each other andpressing against a different one of two opposite sides of the finishingstud if the two tabs receive the finishing stud therebetween; the twoarms oppose one another and a structural stud is fastened therebetween;and/or the two tabs oppose each other and finishing stud is fastenedtherebetween; a loadbearing capacity of the finishing stud is less thanor equal to 50% of the structural stud with respect to longitudinalcompression loading; and/or the stud interconnector is comprised ofmetal and includes two elongate rails each terminating in a respectiveone of the two tabs opposite a respective one of the two arms and across-connection fixed between the two rails to space-apart the tworails opposite one another.

Still another form is directed to a system that comprises: a finishingstud including a first end portion, a second end portion longitudinallyopposing the first end portion, an interface wall, two opposed sidewallseach extending away from the interface wall, and the finishing studbeing comprised of a metallic material; and a stud interconnection braceincluding a finishing stud receiver, a structural stud receiverspaced-apart opposite the finishing stud receiver, and a stiffness toresist relative motion between the finishing stud receiver and thestructural stud receiver during intended use. The finishing studreceiver includes two opposed side tabs to each contact a different oneof the two opposed sidewalls, defines a first fastener opening, and isstructured to inhibit movement of either one of the two opposed sidetabs past the face wall if the finishing stud receiver engages thefinishing stud to connect therewith. The structural stud receiverincludes two opposed side arms and defines a second fastener opening.

Alternatively or additionally, a further form is directed to a studinterconnector that comprises: a first end portion defining a first studreceiver, a second end portion defining a second stud receiver oppositethe first stud receiver, a stud support bridge portion fixed between thefirst end portion and the second end portion, and a stiffness to resistrelative motion between the first stud receiver and the second studreceiver while used as intended. The first stud receiver includes: astud clip with two opposed clip members resiliently biased to providecompressive stud contact by firmly pressing thereagainst, a tonguemember, two slots each defined between the tongue member and a differentone of the two clip members, and a first fastener opening definedthrough the first stud receiver. The second stud receiver includes: twoarms disposed opposite one another, the two arms defining a relativepositioning range, and a second fastener opening defined through thesecond stud receiver. The stud interconnector extends a first distanceprojected along a reference axis centered between the two clip membersand the two arms. A second distance separates the two clip memberstransverse to the reference axis and a third distance separates the twoarms transverse to the reference axis. The second distance is less than50% of the first distance and the second distance is greater than thethird distance.

Yet a further form of the present application includes a studinterconnector in the form of a unitary piece of sheet metal structuredto define a cross-connection and two elongate side rails each meetingthe cross-connection along a different one of two bend regions, and thetwo bend regions approximate bend radii turning about 90 degrees fromthe cross-connection to each of the two elongate rails. Theinterconnector includes a first stud receiver opposite a second studreceiver, and two elongate side rails each define a respective one oftwo jaws of the first stud receiver and a respective one of two studreceiver arms of the second stud receiver. The cross-connection definesan outthrust tongue member of the first stud receiver. The first studreceiver further includes two slots each defined between the outthrusttongue member and a respective one of the two jaws. Optionally, thisform includes: a metal stud with a face wall and two opposed wallsextending away from the face wall and set apart to interpose a recess, afirst fastener extending through the first stud receiver and into themetal stud to attach the interconnector and the metal stud while the twoslots receive the two opposed walls and the recess receives theoutthrust tongue member to fit together the first stud receiver and themetal stud with the metal stud clipped between the two jaws, a wood studand a second fastener extending through the second stud receiver andinto the wood stud while received between the two stud receiver arms toattach the interconnector and the wood stud.

One other form of the present application includes: providing afinishing stud including two opposed walls and an interconnectorincluding a first stud receiver with two ears and a second stud receiverwith two arms opposite the first stud receiver; attaching theinterconnector and the finishing stud in a subassembly while fittogether to engage the two opposed walls with the two ears; receiving astructural stud at least partly between the two arms while opposed bythe finishing stud of the subassembly; determining alignment status ofthe finishing stud after receiving of the structural stud; selecting aposition of the second stud receiver relative to the structural stud inresponse to the alignment status by adjustment of the second studreceiver; and fastening the second stud and the subassembly in theposition to form an interconnected stud assembly. Optionally formingseveral like interconnected subassemblies to form a wall finishingassembly and applying material to the wall finishing assembly to providea finished wall.

Another form comprises: a finishing stud with a face wall and two sideportions extending from the face wall, and a stud interconnection braceincluding a finishing stud receiver and a structural stud receiverspaced-apart opposite one another. Stiffness of the interconnectionbrace imparts an extent of resistance to relative motion between thefinishing stud receiver and the structural stud receiver. The finishingstud receiver includes two side tabs engaging the two side portions andis structured so the finishing stud receiver and the finishing stud bearagainst one another to inhibit extension of any part of the two sidetabs past the face wall when fit together. The structural stud receiverincludes two structural stud receiving rails. Optionally, this form,includes a structural stud incorporated in a structural stud frameassembly, the finishing stud receiver defines a first fastener openingand the structural stud receiver defines a second fastener opening, afirst fastener extends through the first fastener opening and into thefinishing stud to form a subassembly, and a second fastener extendsthrough the second fastener opening and into the structural stud toattach the subassembly in an interconnected stud assembly with thestructural stud received between the two structural stud receivingrails. In further options for this form: the two side portions are twoopposed side walls spaced apart to interpose a recess, the stud receiverincludes a tongue member and two slots each defined between the tonguemember and a different one of the two side tabs, and the two opposedside wall are interest between the two side tabs and about the tonguemember while received in the two slots with the tongue member receivedin the recess. In yet another variation, the finishing stud receiverdefines a stud clip with the two side tabs spring biased to closeagainst the finishing stud when disposed there between.

The preceding information of the present application is merely anintroduction to certain representative forms, features, objects,embodiments, innovations, and/or aspects thereof, and should not to beconsidered exhaustive, restrictive, limiting, or exclusive as to therest of the present application subject matter—especially regarding thescope, breadth, meaning, interpretation, coverage, or construction ofany patent claim provided herewith. Indeed, the preceding text merelyserves as a modest forward to the rest of the present application.Regarding the drawing figures provided herewith and briefly describedhereafter, several considerations follow. The recurrence of likereference numerals in different drawing figures designate like features.A recurring like feature may be shown or otherwise represented in adifferent manner from one drawing to the next to enhance understanding,check obfuscation, preserve clarity, prevent undue crowding, or thelike. Once a detailed written description of this like feature is setforth with reference to one or more of drawing figures setting forthsuch feature, it may not be subject to further description to curbredundancy. Alternatively, the detailed description of this like featuremay be set forth in two or more separate descriptive passages that eachcorrespond to a different drawing figure reference—often depending onthe pertinent characteristics of the like feature. The drawing figuresare not necessarily shown to scale except to the extent expresslydescribed to be so. The present application specification includes anyaccompanying drawing figures. Such figures illustrate various aspects ofthe specification text and together therewith explain certain principlesthereof. The following descriptions briefly introduce the accompanyingdrawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a partly diagrammatic, partial interior view of afinished wall embodiment of the present application with two cutaways tocompare the finished wall to a finishing framework and a wall supportframe of a wall understructure and twice-broken partly sectional viewline 2-2 for FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows three partially diagrammatic, right-side views of thefinished wall of FIG. 1 vertically set apart per the twice-broken,partly sectional view line 2-2 of FIG. 1 to depict an upper, middle, andlower finishing stud attachment to a sectioned wall plate, a structuralstud, and a sectioned sill plate of a wall support frame, respectively,with a stud interconnector fastened to both the finishing and structuralstuds and sectioned finishing material applied to a finishing stud faceopposite the wall support frame. Also, FIG. 2 depicts the partlysectional view line 3-3 for FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 depicts a partially diagrammatic, top view of the finished wallof FIG. 2 along partly sectional view line 3-3 of FIG. 2 that includesstud interconnector fixed to the finishing stud and the structural studboth in section with the sectioned finishing material applied to thefinishing stud—and further shows section line 4-4 for FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the stud interconnector of FIGS. 1-3per the 4-4 section line of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further stud interconnectorembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the stud interconnector of FIG. 5clipped to the finishing stud of FIGS. 1-4 to form a clipped studsubassembly.

FIGS. 7A & 7B (“FIG. 7” collectively) depict a wall assembly process ofa further embodiment of the present application in flowchart form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is not all-inclusive or exhaustive—being merelyrepresentative and non-exclusively exemplary. From the perspective ofthose of ordinary skill in the art pertaining to the presentapplication, any patent claim that follows or innovation otherwisedescribed herein can be practiced without one or more details includedin the description and/or with one or more additional features,elements, aspects, or the like not recited therein. Any obviousaddition, modification, deletion, combination, or other variation of thepresent application teachings is also within the scope of any properlyconstrued patent claim appended hereto or innovation otherwise describedherein. Accordingly, the information provided herewith (including anydrawing figure) is not intended to narrow the scope of any patent claimthat follows—as compared to the scope of such patent claim defined bythe language recited therein when properly construe.

The following description sets forth various details in writing toprovide a thorough understanding of the principles and subject matter ofthe present application including any patent claim that follows and anyinnovation otherwise described herein. To promote this understanding,the description refers to certain aspects—using specific language toexplain the same accompanied by any drawing figures to the extent thesubject matter of the present application admits to illustration. If agiven aspect of the present application subject matter is well-known,less detail about such given aspect may be presented by way ofillustration, writing, or both as compared to any aspect that is unknown(or at least not as well-known) to sharpen clarity of this description.This description and any attendant drawing figures present the subjectmatter of the present application by way of one or more examples, forms,instances, or the like; and sometimes includes one or more alternatives,modifications, or variants of the same—but the description is notintended to be all-inclusive. Instead, it is merely representative andexemplary. Accordingly, the description sets forth representativeexamples only and does not constrict, limit, restrict, reduce, restrain,or otherwise narrow the coverage/scope of any patent claim that followsnor that of any innovation otherwise described herein.

In one embodiment of the present application, a finished building wallincludes wall finishing material applied to a wall understructurecomprised of a support frame and several wall finishing subassemblieseach attached thereto. The support frame includes several structuralstuds each vertically extending between horizontally extending sill andwall plates. The subassemblies each include a finishing stud attached tothe sill and wall plate and a stud brace extending therebetween to forma multistud interconnection with the finishing stud and one of thestructural stud at opposite ends thereof. Collectively, thesubassemblies define an interior framework to interface with thefinishing material. This framework can be better-suited to provide suchinterface than some configurations of the support frame.

FIG. 1 depicts finished wall 22 of building 20 of a further embodimentin a partly diagrammatic, partial interior view with two cutaways.Finished wall 22 includes wall understructure 24 and interior wallcovering material 26 applied thereto that defines interior finishedsurface 28 adapted to provide a desired appearance and/or elicit aneffect. In FIG. 1, horizontal axis H and vertical axis V indicatecorresponding directions as represented by like-labeled, perpendicularlyintersecting rays of common origin. As partly shown in FIG. 1, finishedwall 22 is generally continuous without any window, doorway, gap, orother discontinuity; and vertically extends a generally constant heighth from a generally level, horizontal floor (not shown)—without variationas can result if a stairway, floor ramp, vaulted or otherwise variouslyshaped ceiling, or the like is present—in order to preserve clarity.Furthermore, interior finished surface 28 is generally planar and smoothbeing parallel/coplanar with the FIG. 1 view plane and generallyperpendicular to a plane that is parallel/coplanar with the floor (notshown). Interior wall covering material 26 defines forms finished wallcover to define interior finished surface of finished wall 22—beingcutaway left of material cutaway margin 32 to reveal wall understructure24. Correspondingly, finished wall 22 extends to the right of materialcutaway margin 32.

FIG. 1 briefly introduces certain constituents of wall understructure24, including wall frame 40 including lower plate 41, upper plate 45,and structural studs 50 rigidly fixed together; wall mounting interfaceframework 60 formed interior to wall frame 40 with structural studs 50each connected to one of finishing stud 80 via one of studinterconnectors 100 extending therebetween. Structural studs 50 andfinishing studs 80 each longitudinally extend approximately parallel toone another along longitudinal axis S and longitudinal axis F,respectively (only a few are depicted in FIG. 1 to preserve clarity).Further, axes S and F each extend vertically along vertical axis V aboutparallel thereto and are coincident or parallel with the FIG. 1 viewplane or nearly so. The assembly of wall frame 40 and wall mountinginterface framework 60 includes several stud frame extensions 65 eachincluding one of structural studs 50 and one of finishing studs 80rigidly joined to one of stud interconnectors 100. Stud frame extensions65 each project finishing studs 80 interior to structural studs 50 ofwall frame 40. Cutaway margin 32 removes interior wall covering material26 left thereof to partly uncover wall interface framework 60. Cutawaymargin 34 removes wall interface framework 60 left thereof to partlyreveal wall frame 40.

The unique architecture of wall understructure 24 not only can offer aninner wall core structure suitable for loadbearing wall applications,but also an ability to counteract a certain degree of warping and/orother nonconformity and even potentially elevate performance otherwiserelative to other schemes. Wall understructure includes wall frame 40and wall mounting interface framework 60 rigidly fixed together. Wallframe 40 utilizes solid wood studs 50 of suitably sized and gradeddimension lumber that each extend longitudinally in a vertical directionwith state-of-the-art structural loadbearing capacity for verticalloading in compression. In contrast, wall mounting interface framework60 has metallic finishing studs 80 that each extend longitudinally in avertical direction without a comparable structural loadbearing capacity.Instead, as constructed, arranged, and utilized in wall understructure24, finishing studs 80 tend to have favorable attributes wherestructural studs 50 are weak and vice versa—such that materialproperties of one type complement those of the other type.

Wall frame 40 interspaces structural studs 50 horizontally withseparation distance being a function of various structural/performanceproperties thereof; however, sixteen inches (16″) center-to-center iscommon in the U.S. for structural studs 50 of dimension lumber withnominal 2×4 or 2×6 size and a grade of “stud” or better. So arranged,horizontal separation between structural studs 50 is usually occupied bythermal insulation 59 that is blown-in loose or installed in batts—justto name a couple of possibilities. Wall understructure 24 has theability to offset some degree of irregularity of wood frame 40 ingeneral and structural studs 50 in particular with wall mountinginterface framework 60. For instance, structural studs 50 often bearinga share of the load imposed by building structures resting on wall frame40—like that imposed by the weight of roof and any higher buildinglevels/floors, and the like (not shown). Such requirements routinelylimit cost-effective options with respect to various properties ofstructural studs 50, such as size, grade, treatment, shape, size, frameconfiguration, cost, durability, susceptibilities, and/orcomposition—just to name a few. As a result, structural stud 50constraints often include a significant structural loadbearing capacityfor vertically applied loading in compression.

In contrast, finishing studs 80 of wall mounting interface framework 60outperform structural studs 50 in other ways such as retaining shapewithout warping and lacking susceptibility to various biologic agents.Further, interface wall 83 defines a flat wall finishing face 87 to moreuniformly back wall finishing material 26 that tends to be more uniformthan solid wood studs. Because structural studs 50 providestructural/mechanical support to any major degree, finishing studs 80can be made of metal in an amount that is less than for structural metalstuds because of the non-loadbearing role of finishing studs 80.Further, metal material poses no meaningful risk of warpage orsignificant fire hazard—and further is not susceptible to biologicagents like wood-damaging insect species and certain funguses. Thisrelatively reduced amount of metal for finishing studs 80 results incorrespondingly light-weight members that are accordingly easier tohandle and can be placed/positioned/moved with greater resolutioncompared to cost-effectively handling heavier structural metal studs ofa loadbearing type. Moreover, metallic composition also readilyfacilitates definition of a highly uniform surface of interior interfacewall 83 for attachment of interior wall covering material 26. Certainnonlimiting embodiments of finishing stud 80 are formed from one or morepieces of sheet metal, are extruded, or otherwise include a metalliccomposition and so is designated metal stud 80 a in the alternative.

FIGS. 1-3, each correspond to a different one of three mutuallyperpendicular view planes. The FIGS. 1&2 view planes are both verticaland intersect perpendicularly along a vertical line common to both,while the FIG. 3 view plane is horizontal. In addition to the multiplecutaway interior view of finished wall 22 in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 depictsthree broken side views in partial section as taken along view line 2-2of FIG. 1 that each show a different finishing stud 80 and wall frame 40attachment region. As taken along view line 3-3 of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 showsa top view of one multistud interconnection 63 in partial section asprovide by a respective stud interconnector 100.

FIGS. 2 & 3 supplement the details of wall frame 40 already described inconnection with FIG. 1. In contrast to wall mounting interface framework60, wall frame 40 is the dominant support structure of wallunderstructure 24. Wall frame 40 includes lower plate 41 positionedalong the base of exterior wall 36 and upper plate 45 positioned abovelower plate 41 along the top of exterior wall 36. Lower plate 41 andupper plate 45 each longitudinally extend along longitudinal axis P1 andP2, respectively (see FIG. 1). Axes P1 and P2 are approximately parallelto each other and horizontal axis H. Accordingly, a constant or nearlyconstant vertical distance separates lower plate 41 and upper plate 45.Given the perpendicular orientation of the FIG. 2 view plane relative tothe FIG. 1 view plane, longitudinal axes P1 and P2 are likewiseperpendicular to the view plane of FIG. 2. In the depicted embodiment,lower plate 41 and upper plate 45 are identical or almost identical asto shape, dimensioning, composition, and salient mechanical/physicalproperties. Additionally, lower plate 41 and upper plate 45 both haveabout the same approximately rectangular shape defined by two respectivecross-sections each taken along different respective wall platesectional planes transverse to different longitudinal axes P1 and P2.Lower plate 41 and upper plate 45 each include upper side face 41 aopposite lower side face 41 b. Upper side face 41 a and lower side face41 b are separated by plate thickness (pt) therebetween that isapproximately the same for both lower plate 41 and upper plate 45. Lowerplate 41 and upper plate 45 also each include exterior face 42 aopposite interior face 42 b that defines plate width (pw) therebetween.Plate width pw is approximately the same for both lower plate 41 andupper plate 45 and is greater than plate thickness pt (pw>pt).

Structural studs 50 each longitudinally extend along vertical axis V andapproximate a rectangular cross-sectional shape along a sectional planegenerally perpendicular to the respective longitudinal axis S thereof.Structural studs 50 each longitudinally terminate at lower stud end face51 a opposite stud end face 51 b. For each structural stud 50, lowerstud end face 51 a engages upper side face 41 a of lower plate 41 and isattached thereto by one or more framing fasteners (not shown); and upperstud end face 51 b engages lower side face 41 b of upper plate 45 and isattached thereto by one or more other framing fasteners (not shown).Structural studs 50 each define different side faces 52 oppositelydisposed relative to one another. For each different one of structuralstuds 50, its two side faces 52 are each separated by approximately thesame structural stud thickness (st) from one to the next. Structuralstuds 50 each define flush stud face 53 a opposite offset face 53 b thatare separated by approximately the same structural stud width (sw)therebetween. It follows that, as referenced herein, structural studs 50each have thickness (depth) and width dimensions of represented by st×swwith the understanding that thickness (depth) is less than width(st<sw).

Plate width pw is greater than the structural stud width sw (pw>sw). Forthe depicted embodiment, structural studs 50 each are a form ofstandardized solid wood dimensional lumber with the more specificalternative designation as wood studs 50 a (without limitation thereto).For such form, wood studs 50 a nominally are of 2×4 inch size (st×sw 2×4inches) with actual dimensions of about 1.5×3.5 inches (st×sw≈1.5×3.5inches). Without limitation, one common alternative is standardizeddimensional wood lumber of a nominal 2×6 inch size (st×sw≈2×6 inches)corresponding to an actual 1.5×5.5 inch size (st×sw≈1.5×5.5 inches). Inother embodiments a different compositions and/or size may be employed.Likewise, the depicted embodiment of lower plate 41 and upper plate 45is a particular form of solid wood dimensional lumber with pt×pw nominaldimensions of about 2×6 inches (pt×pw≈2×6 inches) and actual dimensionsof about 1.5×5.5 inches (pt×pw≈1.5×5.5 inches). In the depictedembodiment, wood studs 50 a are each of nominal 2×4 inch form with pwbeing about 2 inches greater than sw (pw≈2 inches and pw>sw).

When structural studs 50 are assembled between lower plate 41 and upperplate 45, the flush stud face 53 a of each one is positioned to begenerally flush and even with exterior face 42 a of both lower plate 41and upper plate 45 so that flush stud face 53 a of each structural stud50 is approximately coplanar with exterior face 42 a of both lower plate41 and upper plate 45. Flush stud face 53 a is exterior to offset studface 53 b for each structural stud 50 after assembly in wall frame 40.In contrast to the generally even/flush alignment of flush stud face 53a, offset stud face 53 b of each structural stud 50 is positionedexterior to interior face 42 b of both lower plate 41 and upper plate 45by offset distance (sb). Setback distance sb is the difference betweenpw and sw (i.e. sb=pw−sw≈5.5−3.5≈2 inches). Correspondingly, lower plate41 and upper plate 45 both interiorly extend offset distance sb fromstud face 53 b from each of structural studs 50 to the interior face 42b of both lower plate 41 and upper plate 45. As a result, lower plate 41and upper plate 45 each include wall plate lip portion 43 protrudingfrom offset stud face 53 b to interior face 53 b. Each wall plate lipportion 43 protrudes offset distance sb to the interior. Sill plate 42,upper plate 45, and structural studs 50 structurally assembled in themanner described herein define wall frame 40 of the depicted embodiment.In other embodiments, structural members (e.g. structural studs 50,lower plate 41, and upper plate 45 of the depicted embodiment) maydiffer as to composition, shape, size, or like and/or as to thearchitecture of the corresponding assembly.

In particular, wall frame 40 can be assembled from suitable dimensionlumber to provide a robust a “loadbearing wall” as often required forouter/exterior walls that define the outer perimeter of building 20 andsometimes those to the interior even if also dividing interior spaceinto rooms. At least in part, building 20 utilizes finished wall 22 toseparate interior building space (inside or indoors) from that exteriorto it (outdoors or outside), and correspondingly define at least a partof an outermost boundary or perimeter of building 20, provide a barrierto unauthorized impingement or intrusion into building 20, protectinterior contents of building 20 from unpleasant weather, more readilyregulate interior temperature of building 20, control/monitor ingressand/or egress with respect to building 20, and the like. Given suchutilization and status, finished wall 22 is more specifically designatedexterior wall 36. Relative to many climates, weather phenomena tend todominate exterior environment varying significantly with the seasons(often with uncomfortable extremes on occasion) as compared to theindoor environment (particularly when regulated by HVAC equipment or thelike). Exterior wall 36 is a specific type of finished wall 22 relativethe interior walls (not shown) commonly utilized to partition a buildinginto different rooms or the like within the bounds defined by exteriorwall 36 and the like. Likewise, as used herein, “interior” and“exterior” references correspond the relative position of one to anotherand may be grounded with respect to exterior wall 36. For instance, asto the following sequence of four features of finished wall 22 (exteriorwall 36): (a) the interior finished surface 28, (b) interior wallcovering material 26, (c) finishing interface framework 60, and (d) wallframe 40; a given preceding entry is “interior” to any proceeding entry.Conversely, a given proceeding entry is “exterior” as to any precedingentry with respect to the four entries (a)-(d) listed in sequence.Similarly, interior wall covering material 26/wall understructure 24 isinterior/exterior relative to wall understructure 24/interior wallcovering material 26, respectively.

Additionally, exterior wall 36 includes mechanical, physical,composition, treatment/processing, etc. to satisfy mechanical supportstructure requirements, such as certain load-bearing capacity specifics(e.g. longitudinally applied compressive load capacity sufficient tocontribute to load support resulting from weight of a structure aboveexterior wall 36 like a roof, floor/story, or other above-locatedstructure). Concomitantly, exterior wall 36 is more specificallydesignated a form of load-bearing wall 38 in the alternative. Relativeto a floor/platformed-based wall framing stick construction fabricationof wall frame 40, “load-bearing wall” broadly includes a wall or partthereof structured to bear a requisite share of the mechanical loadposed by the weight of building structure thereover (e.g. roof,floor/story, etc.) or any other manner or way of imposing the same ornearly the same load in terms of magnitude and application direction. Inone favored embodiment of wall understructure 24 with load-bearingstructural studs 50 and non-loadbearing finishing studs 80, a finishingstud load-bearing capacity is less than sixty percent (<60%) of astructural stud load-bearing capacity with respect to a longitudinallyapplied load in compression. In a more favored wall understructureembodiment, the finishing stud load-bearing capacity is less than fortypercent (<40%) of a structural stud load-bearing capacity with respectto the longitudinally applied load in compression. In an even morefavored wall understructure embodiment, the finishing stud load-bearingcapacity is less than twenty percent (<20%) of the structural studload-bearing capacity with respect to the longitudinally applied load incompression. Any of these embodiments are further favored if thefinishing studs are comprised of metallic material and the structuralstuds are comprised of wood material.

In addition to wall frame 40, wall understructure 24 also includesfinishing studs 80 depicted more specifically as metal studs 80 a.Finishing studs 80 each include upper end portion 81 a longitudinallyopposing lower end portion 81 b and elongate intermediate portion 82longitudinally extending therebetween. Along intermediate portion 82,each of finishing studs 80 interconnects to a respective one ofstructural studs 50 via a corresponding one of stud interconnectors 100extending therebetween to form multistud interconnection 63. Further,upper end portion 81 a and lower end portion 81 b of each of finishingstuds 80 are mounted to wall frame 40 above and below the respective oneof structural studs 50. This multistud interconnection 63 defined withstud interconnector 100 and the upper and lower mounting of a differentone of the finishing studs 80 each forms a different one of finishingstud frame extensions 65. The quantity of finishing stud frameextensions 65 desired to extend and buffer finished wall 22 of a desiredsize, collectively define wall mounting interface framework 60 of wallunderstructure 24. Through the corresponding multistud interconnection63 with one of stud interconnectors 100, the attachment position of eachof finishing stud frame extensions 65 to wall frame 40 relative to acorresponding one of the structural studs 50 is selectable over acontinuously variable position adjustment range. Through attachmentposition selection, routinely the negative consequences of at least somewarped or otherwise nonconforming structural studs 50 can be mitigatedor even effectively counteracted. Finishing studs 80 so installedoperate as an intermediary between interior wall covering material 26and wall frame 40 to often providing noticeably better alignment andappearance of finished wall 22 than would result from direct attachmentof interior wall covering material 26 directly to structural studs 50 ofwall frame 40 without wall mounting interface framework 60 therebetween.

Finishing studs 80 each extend longitudinally along axis F from lowerend portion 81 a to upper end portion 81 b with intermediate portion 82therebetween. Finishing studs 80 each include interface wall 83(alternatively designated face member 84) and two walls extending awayfrom interface wall 83 opposite one another (as depicted, flanges 85 arein a more specific form of two opposed sidewalls 86). Interface wall 83and opposed sidewalls 86 generally extend longitudinally along axis F inthe depicted form. Interface wall 83 defines wall finishing face 87 andopposed sidewalls 86 each define a respective one of two side faces 89.As perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, opposed sidewalls 86 each departinterface wall 83 at a corresponding one of two interface junctures 88to end at a respective one of two edges 86 a. Edges 86 a each define oneof two wall termini 87 a, respectively. In the depicted form, opposedsidewalls 88 a and 88 b are set apart to define recess 90 therebetween(depicted in a more specific form as longitudinal channel 91).Longitudinal channel 91 is bounded by inward interface wall surface 88 aopposite wall finishing face 87 and two opposed inward sidewall surfaces89 a opposite side faces 89. A section plane perpendicular to axis Fdefines U-shaped cross-sectional shape 91 a of interface wall 83,opposed sidewalls 86, and longitudinal channel 91, collectively.

Lower end portion 81 a and upper end portion 81 b of finishing stud 80each define lower plate mounting termination 92 a and upper platemounting termination 92 b, respectively, (as depicted, plate mountingtabs are more specifically designated as follows). Lower plate mountingtermination 92 a and upper plate mounting termination 92 b each depicttwo oppositely disposed plate mounting tabs 92 each as two differentplate side engagement ears 93 a transversely opposite one anotherrelative to axis F, Each of plate side engagement ears 93 a is formed byoutwardly ending a terminal part of each of sidewalls 86. These twoplate side engagement ears flank plate interior engagement ear 93 b thatextends downward from interface wall 83 for lower plate mountingtermination 92 a and upward for upper plate mounting termination 92 b.Accordingly, engagement ears 93 a and 93 b (collectively and eachgenerically designated “ear 93”) total six for a given finishing stud 80in the illustrated embodiment. In one implementation, plate fastener 98is structured to extend through fastener opening 96 and extend into orthrough lower plate 41 or upper plate 45, respectively. A more specificform of plate fastener 98 includes nail 99 suitable to securelypenetrate and remain anchored in wood or a similar material comprisinglower plate 41 and upper plate 45. As shown, nail 99 is a flathead/smooth shank type that includes fastener head 99 a with a flat headnail structure and fastener tip 99 b longitudinally opposite fastenerhead 99 a. Further, nail 99 includes nail shank 99 c therebetween thatinterconnects fastener head 99 a and fastener tip 99 b. Nail shank 99typically comprises the bulk of nail longitude with an approximatelyconstant diameter therealong. Fastener tip 99 b can be pointed tofacilitate penetration of wood or the like. As potentially best shown inFIGS. 2 & 3, fastener tip extends through opening 96 to penetrate intoor pass through one of the lower plate 41 and upper plate 45 in responseto an adequate longitudinally applied compressive force.

As shank nail 99 bears against ear 92 a or 92 b where in the vicinity ofa respective plate fastener opening 96 after receiving nail 99therethrough so that tip 99 b penetrates mounts finishing stud 80 towall frame 40 opposite a respective structural stud 50 via lower endportion 81 a and upper end portion 81 b of finishing stud 80 to lowerplate 41 and upper plate 45, respectively. In one implementation, woodnail 99 extends through opening 96 and into or through either lowerplate 41 or upper plate 45 to securely be anchored thereto,respectively. More particularly, in one specific embodiment thatincludes lower plate 41 and upper plate 45 each as nominal 2×4 or 2×8inch solid wood lumber, nail 99 extends an approximate length of about1.5 inches (1&½″) with an approximate shank diameter of about 0.148 inch(0.148″) in correspondence to a gauge 9 nail—and is fabricated from aniron-containing metal (Fe-based composition) with any coating/treatmentapplied to provide sufficient resistance to nail oxidation/rust and thelike.

One way of fabricating metal stud 80 a utilizes a common, raw carbonsteel sheet metal (an alloy comprised of Fe and carbon (C—a metalloid),and possibly a few other components. This raw sheet metal stocktypically includes a level of galvanization (i.e. application of zinc(Zn)) and/or other treatment to an extent that cost-effectively resistsoxidation/rust of and Fe-based steel as needed. In one form,galvanization takes place to the G40 standard (i.e. Zn is applied to acore of steel with about 0.40 ounces per square-foot (0.40 oz/ft²). Thesheet metal stock is cut, stamped, etched, or otherwise shaped into aplanar, rectangular form of unitary sheet metal piece 94, from whichjust one finishing stud 80 can be made subsequently. This shapingincludes defining end notches to facilitate later separation of formingthree openings 96 at first with two slots between the two opposed sideengagement ears 93 a and the mounting in a generally planar form toprovide a single, unitary sheet metal piece 94 for each finishing stud80. This process may include extra material in the vicinity of twojunctures 95 where finishing stud 80 transitions between interface wall83 and each of sidewalls 86. Formation of junctures 88 and sidewalls 86is provided by shaping sheet metal piece 94. For instance, sidewalls 86that merge/depart interface wall 83 can be formed by uniformly bendinggenerally equally sized and shaped end portions of sheet metal piece 94disposed transverse to its longitude. The vicinity of such junctures 88and corresponding bends may include a slightly thicker material formechanical reinforcement, or the depicted form of metal stud 80 a, itcan be formed from a single, unitary piece of sheet metal 1 a. Moreparticularly, stud fabrication includes stamping and bending the twoflanges 85 to extend along two approximately parallel planes that areapproximately perpendicular to a plane along with the interface wall. Inone particular fabrication approach, the sheet metal is stamped so thatthe metal is thicker along the bend sites to offset any tendency to bethinned/weakened by bending. Alternatively or additionally, metal stud80 a is comprised of a suitable carbon steel with outer galvanization byzinc (ZN) to improve resistance to oxidation (rusting) among otherthings. With the distance spanned by interface wall 83 between sidewallsapproximating 1.685 inches (1&⅝ths″) as perhaps best illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 as distance D1. More particularly, in one specificembodiment that length of wood nail 99 approximates 1.5 inches with astem diameter of about 0.148 inch or nearly so—and is fabricated from aniron-based metal and galvanized with a zinc (Zn) containing coating tosuitably resist undue oxidation (rusting) and the like.

Finishing stud fasteners 70 fasten finishing stud 80 along intermediate82 portion. Interconnector 100 includes end portion 101 a opposite endportion 101 b—connected together by bridge portion 101 c therebetween.As depicted, stud interconnector 100 is additionally a form ofconnection brace 102 that mechanically reinforces finishing stud 80 withthe stability/support of wall frame 40 along intermediate portion 101 cwhere potentially susceptible to flexure and undesired movement relativeto the wall frame 40—particularly during installation as detailedfurther hereafter. Accordingly, in the depicted implementation ofconnection brace 102, bridge portion 101 c inwardly defines strut 102 bthat resists relative motion in response to longitudinally applied force(particularly compressive longitudinal force) with stiffness sufficientto provide the same.

Stud interconnector 100 includes finishing stud receiver 110 oppositestructural stud receiver 160. Finishing stud receiver 110 includes twoears 112 opposing one another in engagement with sidewalls 86 offinishing stud 80 along its intermediate portion 102. Ears 112 are eachpredrilled with one of two fastener openings 113 to receive finishingstud fastener 70. Ears 112 are alternatively designated side tabs 114specific to the depicted embodiment. Finishing stud receiver 110 furtherincludes receiver tab 116 disposed in recess 90 (channel 91) and isfurther designated tongue member 118. Between tongue member 118 and sidetabs 114 are two slots 120. Sidewalls 86 are disposed in slots 120.Finishing stud receiver 110 is configured as a finishing stud clip 130with each side tab 114 being one of two opposed clip members 132.Finishing stud clip 130 is structured with spring biasing 134 to firmlyengage each side face 89 of sidewall 86. Spring biasing 134 is providefor each clip member 132 as biasing 136 a and 136 b, respectively;however, only one clip member 132 can include biasing 136 a or 136 b toresiliently urge each towards the other in a manner sufficient to clipto finishing stud 80 and provide a corresponding finishing studsubassembly 64. The sizing and structure of stud interconnector 100defines a gap 223 between finishing stud 80 and structural stud 50 ineach of the finishing stud extension constructs 63. Gap 223 provides apassage for electrical cabling or the like without the need for drillingthrough the structure. Finishing wall material 24 is mounted to wallfinishing face 87.

As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, wall finishing material 24 is in the form ofwallboard followed by deposition of wallboard mud to fill mounting screwdimples and form joint between different wallboard panels (e.g. fill-intapered joints); alternatively apply and initial lath/plaster wallfinishing material 24 instead of wallboard; after curing of wallboardmud or plaster sanding to provide desired degree of smooth and evenfinish; then coating the wallboard with primer followed by one or morecoats of paint; as an alternative or addition—applying wallpaper orother wall covering; or the like paneling, smoothen wallboard bymudding/sanding, priming sanded wallboard, painting primed wall, applywall covering, and the like (e.g. mounting several adjacent wallboardpanels, mudding joints and depressions to fill-in discontinuities,sanding cured mud, priming after sanding, painting, etc.).

Finishing stud 80 is fastened to finishing stud receiver 110 with twofinishing stud fasteners 140 engaged through one of openings 113. In thedepicted form, finishing stud fastener 140 is a type of self-tappingmetal screw 142. Screw 142 includes hex head 144 a opposite self-tappingtip 144 b with threaded stem 144 c extending therebetween. Withoutlimitation, one type of screw 142 is a number 8 9/16ths self-drillingframing screw.

Structural stud receiver 160 includes two arms 162 receiving structuralstud 50 therebetween. Each structural stud receiver 160 defines fasteneropening 164 therethrough and adjustment slot 166. Each adjustment slotincludes structural stud fastener 168 therethrough. In the depictedform, structural stud fastener 168 is a nail 99 as previously described.Openings 164 are unoccupied in the depicted arrangement, but one or bothmay include a fastener in other embodiments.

In the illustrated embodiment, stud interconnector 100 is formed from asingle, unitary sheet metal piece 200 that is stamped, etched orotherwise cut to make a single stud interconnector 100. After being soshaped, sheet metal piece 200 is bent to form two elongate side rails210 each of a generally planar shape along a plane parallel to theother. A stud receiver end 212, each of elongate side rails 210 forms adifferent one of ears 112 (tabs 114 and clip members 132). At opposingstud receiver end 214, each of elongate side rails 210 forms one of arms162. Elongate side rails 210 are shaped to change the distance D1between ears 112 to distance D2 between arms 162, where D1 is greaterthan D2 (D1>D2). Cross-connection 220 (alternatively designatedtransverse connector 222) connects elongate side rails 210 and definesreceiver tab 116 (tongue member 118). Cross-connection 220 meetselongate side rails 210 at corresponding junctures 220 a and forms anapproximate right angle A therewith as illustrated in FIG. 4. Centerlinereference axis R is defined along stud interconnector 100 that iscentered between ears 112 and arms 162 and bisects receiver tab 116. Aplane containing axis R bisects stud interconnector 100 into twoapproximate mirror images of each other. The distance D3 occupied bystud interconnector 100 from stud receiver end 212 to stud receiver end214 is greater than D1 and D2 (D3>D1>D2).

Referring to FIG. 5, stud interconnector 300 of another embodiment isillustrated; where like reference numerals refer to like featurespreviously described. The following describes more details where studinterconnectors 100 and 300 differ with little or no description wherealike. Stud interconnector 300 includes finishing stud receiver 310opposite structural stud receiver 360. Finishing stud receiver 310includes two oppositely disposed tabs 313 structured like side tabs 114(ears 112) of finishing stud receiver 110 except that tabs 313 eachinclude inwardly protruding stop member 320 and defines a correspondingnotch 322. Like finishing stud receiver 110, finishing stud receiver 310also includes receiver tab 116 (tongue member 117) defined by crossconnection 220 to extend between tabs 310 with a different one of twoslots 120 disposed in between.

Each of stop members 320 provides a different one of two abutment stops324. One or both abutment stops 324 can potentially contact one or bothedges 86 a of sidewalls 86, respectively, to aid in theprevention/inhibition of movement of either of tabs 313 past mountinginterface wall 82 of finishing stud 80 when finishing stud 80 and studinterconnector 300 intermesh to form provisional subassembly 380 asillustrated in FIG. 6. Either or both abutment stops 324 can operate inaddition to or in lieu of one or both edges 86 a of sidewalls 86abutting one or both receiver slot termination margins 121,correspondingly; and/or tab edge 117 of receiver tab 116 (tongue member118) defined by cross connection 220, abutting inward wall surface 88 aof finishing stud 80. Also, it should be recognized that it is possibleneither one of abutment stops 324 contacts finishing stud 80 before oneof the foregoing alternatives takes place to halt movement of studinterconnector 300 and finishing stud 80 together each towards theother.

Also, stud interconnector 300 differs from stud interconnector 100 as tothe configuration of two like fastener openings 312 through each of arms362 for a total of four (4). In contrast to arms 162 of structural studreceiver 160, each of arms 362 defines two fastener openings 312 (onemore than each of arms 162), but lacks adjustment slot 166. Fasteneropenings 312 each approximately resemble the others being structured toreceive a respective structural stud fastener 168 in the form of nail99, or alternatively a screw or other acceptable fastener type torigidly fix structural stud receiver 360 and structural stud 50 whenpositioned between arms 362 (not shown). As illustrated in FIG. 6,finishing stud receiver 110 defines spring-biased stud clip 330 with twoopposed clip members 332 each provided by a respective one of tabs 313.Stud clip 330 and stud clip 130 are ideally alike except for theaforementioned stop members 320 and notches 322 each defined by arespective tab 313 to provide the two abutment stops 324. The FIG. 6depiction includes finishing stud 80 and finishing stud receiver 310 inan intermeshed state 80 with tongue member 118 received in recess 90 andsidewalls 86 each received in a corresponding one of the two slots 120in between tongue member 118 and a different one of tabs 313 offinishing stud receiver 310. So Fit together in such manner, thespring-biasing of clip 330 urges clip members 332 to press against eacha different one of sidewalls 86 of finishing stud 80 firmly enfoldedtherebetween to collectively form a provisionally adjustable subassembly390. It should be appreciated that adjustable subassembly 390facilitates selectively adjusting relative position between finishingstud 80 and stud interconnector in response to application of anopposing force sufficient to overcome the spring-biasing of stud clip330 but not so great as to cause disassembly thereof. Absent disturbanceby an opposing force, adjustable subassembly 390 remains firmly heldtogether by clip 330. Once appropriately positioned relative to oneanother, finishing stud 80 and stud interconnector 300 can be morepermanently joined through application of finishing stud fasteners 140(e.g. self-tapping screws 142 or other appropriate fastener type) eachwith respect to a different one of fastener openings 113. Onceappropriately adjusted and joined together, a construct like finishingstud subassembly 64 can be realized for use as one of several finishingstud frame extensions 65 that are each fastened to a differentstructural stud to form multistud interconnection 63 and build wallmounting interface framework 60 well-suited to application of interiorwall covering material 26. As constituents of wall mounting interfaceframework 60, finishing studs 80 each include a respective interfacewall 83 defining an interior wall finishing face 87 for application andattachment of interior wall covering material 26 therealong andcorrespondingly form finished wall cover 27 over understructure 24 hatpresents finished surface 28 towards the interior and completes finishedwall 22.

With general reference to the embodiments described in concert withFIGS. 1-6 and any alternatives or variants thereof, FIGS. 7A and 7Bdepict a flowchart bridging two connected, like-labeled sheets (bothcollectively FIG. 7)—to enhance understanding of certainaspects/features of description herein for any processes, methods,applications, and/or operations to assemble, construct, make, implement,install, specify, position, evaluate, adjust, utilize, or the likeincluding fabrication process 400 described as follows. Fabricationprocess 400 begins at the top of FIG. 7A with start flag 410, thenproceeds as directed by connecting arrow to operation 412. Operation 412starts with selection of finishing stud 80 and stud interconnector 100or 300 to form finishing stud subassembly 64 or provisional subassembly390, respectively.

From operation 412, process 400 continues with operation 414 to alignboth selections with an imaginary reference axis (like axis R of FIGS. 2and 3) midway between sidewalls 86 and tabs 114 bisecting tab 116 andstud 80 and so sidewall 86 faces a different slot 120 of stud receiver110, 310 and tab 116 faces recess 90 of stud 80. Also, operation 414includes placing stud receiver 110, 310 along intermediate portion 82that extends along axial length of stud 80 between lower end portion 81a and upper and portion 81 b thereof (see FIGS. 2 & 3). After alignment,operation 114 includes moving finishing stud 80 and stud interconnector100, 300 together as slots 120 each receive a sidewall 86 and recess 90receives tab 116 to interfit stud 80 and stud receiver 110, 310 byplacing tab 116 between sidewalls 86 and each sidewall in a differentslot 120 between tab 116 and a different clip member 132 (side tabs 114)and disposing finishing stud 80 in between clip members 132 of finishingstud receiver 110, 310. Movement of finishing stud 80 and stud receiver110, 310 closer together continues until they abut halting furtherclosure absent force that plastically deforms or fractures either orboth. Consequently, a provisionally adjustable subassembly (such assubassembly 390 of stud interconnector 300 and finishing stud 80)results. Any gap along this reference axis separating finishing stud 80and stud interconnector 100, 300 narrows as relative motion between thempersists until they abut.

In certain embodiments, finishing stud 80 and stud receiver 110, 310abut to halt further movement towards each other that has potential tocause plastic deformation, fracture, or other unacceptable result as toeither or both. Alternatively or additionally, the two are structured toabut before either of tabs 116/clip members 132 extend past wallfinishing face 87 defined by interior interface wall 83 of stud 80. Forinstance, with respect to stud receiver 310, relative position of stud80 and one or both of abutment stops 324 of stud receiver 310 when theyabut is specified to provide a particular degree closure and/or pressurebetween them without unacceptably risking an undesirable outcome. As anaddition or alternative, the distance spanned by (a) one or both slots120 between slot termination margin 121 and its termination with theclosest tab 114 and/or tab 116, (b) the distance spanned by one or bothsidewalls 86 between interface juncture 88 and its terminus 87 a, and(c) the distance spanned from edge 117 of tab 116 and one or both ofslot termination margins 121, or the like have the potential to changethe relative distance traveled (e.g. along a reference axis) by stud 80and stud receiver 110, 310 before they abut by adjusting the differencebetween certain distances. For instance, a difference of relative lengthof slots 120 and the distance sidewalls 86 extend away from wall 83 canbe large enough to substantially change the relative distance traveledbefore stud 80 and interconnector 110, 310 abut.

After execution of operation 414, finishing stud 80 and stud receiver110, 310 mesh together becoming interlocked to establish intermeshedconfiguration 289 that, among other things, refers to an interfacebetween parts substantially limiting, restricting or constrainingrelative motion between such parts. More specifically, “intersetelements” refer to parts or constituents positioned between or about oneanother. Intermeshed framing configuration 289 includes five (5)interset elements 290 comprised of two stud interset elements 290 a inthe form of two sidewalls 86 and three receiver interset elements 290 bin the form of receiver tab 116 (tongue member 118) and two clip members132, 332 (tabs 114, 313). It should be appreciated each of elements 290a is disposed between a unique pair of elements 290 b (tab 116 and thecloset of clip members 132, 332 that are both positioned about the twointerset stud elements 290 a, while sidewalls 86 receive tab 116 inbetween and are corresponding placed there about. Together, intersetconnector elements 290 are constituents that collectively defineinterset framing arrangement 290 c.

Process 400 advances from operation 414 to operation 416 which includesattaching the finishing stud 80 and stud receiver 110, 310 while clippedand held together with one or more finishing stud fasteners 140. Forinstance, two fasteners each of the more specific form screw 142 can beinserted through fastener opening 113 for each of tabs 114, 313 and thenappropriately torqued so the head of screw 142 engages a different oneof tabs 114, 313 in bearing contact and into or through a respective oneof sidewalls 86 to press then both together.

The execution of operation 416 results in the formation of astud/interconnector subassembly (e.g. finishing stud subassembly 64)comprised of one finishing studs 80 and one stud interconnector 100, 300rigidly fastened together with one or more finishing stud fasteners 140or the like. Process 400 advances next to operation 418 that includesengaging such subassembly with a respective one of structural studs 50of wall frame 40 positioned opposite therefrom. Such engagement includespositioning the finishing stud of the subassembly opposite a respectiveone of structural studs 50 initially set-apart therefrom by somewhatmore than the maximum spanned by the two opposed stud receivers 110 and160 for interconnector 100 or receiver 310 and 360 for interconnector300. Next the structural stud receiver 160, 360 is moved closer to therespective one of the structural studs until disposed at least partiallybetween arms 162, 362 with offset edge face 53 b interior to oppositelydisposed flush edge face 53 a.

One embodiment of process 400 includes providing a complete, installedform of wall frame 40 including rigidly connected frame members, such asstructural studs 50, lower plate 41, and upper plate 45 before beginningprocess 400 before beginning process 400 that depends the provision ofsuch wall frame 400 to execute one or more operations thereof—e.g. theimmediately foregoing operation 418. Another embodiment includesproviding wall frame 40 in a sufficient state of completion (includinginstallation thereof) to execute process 400 before or overlappingprocess 400, but before executing operation 418 to engage one ofstructural studs 50 of wall frame 40 in such state with a respectivefinishing stud subassembly 65. Alternatively or additionally, initialperformance of operation 418 begins with the rightmost or leftmoststructural stud of wall frame 40 and performance of the next iterationof operation 418 include engaging another stud subassembly 65 to anotherstructural stud 50 adjacent to that most recently the subject ofoperation 418—being either to the immediate left for a rightmost startor to the immediate right for a leftmost start—progressing in the samedirection from one to the next until execution of all iterations ofoperation 418 for process 400 or as otherwise specified.

Process 400 advances from operation 418 to operation 420 withsubassembly 65 engaged, but not fastened to the respective one ofstructural studs 50. Before fastening, operation 420 includesdetermining alignment status of finishing stud 80 included in suchengaged/unfastened subassembly 65 with the respective one of structuralstuds 50 adjustably positioned between its arms 162, 362. The alignmentstatus determination of operation 420 includes assessing the degree ofcoplanarity of wall finishing face 87 (as defined by interior interfacewall 83 of stud 80 included in subassembly 65) with a vertical planesuch as the FIG. 1 view plane and the extent centered structural studlongitudinal axis S and centered finishing stud longitudinal axis F arevertical and parallel and able to define a vertical plane that isperpendicular to the FIGS. 1 and 3 view planes and coplanar or parallelwith the FIG. 2 view plane. Also operation 420 alignment statusdetermination includes evaluating the degree to which the vertical planecontaining wall finishing face 83 is perpendicular to a horizontallyplanar floor and/or ceiling by application of a bubble level, plumb bob,or the like. Moreover, operation 420 includes measuring alignment of thewall finishing face 83 of the finishing stud subassembly relative thewall finishing face 83 of one or more other previously attachedsubassemblies 65 (if any) with a horizontal plumb line or othermeasurement procedure and/or instrumentation—particularly those closestto the subassembly 65 currently subject to operation 420. Furthermore,operation 420 includes inspection and measurement for any othernonconformity with potential to pose an unacceptable risk as toschedule, quality, cost, safety, and the like.

From operation 420, process 400 continues with conditional 430 thattests whether alignment is acceptable. If not (no or false), process 400continues along negative branch 432 to operation 434 and also entersposition adjustment loop 425. Operation 434 includes adjusting positionof finishing stud subassembly 65 relative to the respective one ofstructural studs 50. While either may prove unacceptable as toalignment, installation of frame wall 40 including such stud 50 cannotbe moved readily compared to engaged/unfastened subassembly 65. Itshould be appreciated that arms 162, 362 of stud receiver 160, 360 arepositionally adjustable select to a modest range with the potential toreduce if not effectively eliminate misalignment or other deviation asmight be caused by minor warping and/or other nonconformity. Morespecifically, position of either or both arms 162, 362 relative torelative to the engaged structural stud 50 and to a lesser extent (ifany) possibly one or more studs 50 in close proximity hereto.Accordingly, position can be adjusted over such range to select one thatis acceptable. After position selection in operation 434, loop 425returns to operation 420 to re-evaluate alignment. After reevaluation,conditional 430 is again encountered to test if the alignment isappropriate. If so, the test is positive (yes/true), and process 400moves per branch 438 to link 440 at the bottom of FIG. 7A to continuewith link 442 at the top of FIG. 7B. From link 442, process 400continues with operation 444. Operation 444 includes application of oneor more structural stud fasteners 168 with respect to at least one arm162, 362 of stud receiver 160, 360. Each arm 162 defines fasteneropening 164 and arcuate slot 166 and each arm 362 defines two fasteneropenings 312. Structural stud fastener can be an appropriate type andsize of wood engaging nail such as nail 99 previously describe, asuitable screw, or otherwise provide acceptable attachment of studreceiver 160, 360 and structural stud 50. In FIGS. 2 and 3, twostructural stud fasteners 168 each extend through arcuate slot 166defined a different one of the two arms 162 to penetrate and extend intoor through structural stud 50 positioned therebetween. In FIGS. 5 and 6,no fasteners are shown with respect to openings 312 through each of arms362.

From operation 444, process 400 continues with conditional 450 thattests if wall understructure 24 is complete. If not, process 400 returnsto FIG. 7A along branch 452 in correspondence to link 454 of FIG. 7B andlink 456 of FIG. 7A. From link 456, process 400 returns to operation 412along path 458 of loop 480 to repeat operations 412, 414, 426, 418, 420,and conditional 430 from which a negative result directs process 400along branch 432 to repeat operation 434, operation 420, and conditional420 of loop 425 until the test of conditional 430 is affirmative inwhich case process 400 follows branch 438 to FIG. 7B to repeat operation444 and conditional 450 to test if wall understructure 24 is yetcomplete. Notably, stud extension 64 includes rigid attachment of afinishing stud 80, interconnector 100, 300; and structural stud 50together which occurs once for each execution of extension preparationloop 480. Several stud extensions 64, one for each different one ofstructural studs 50 collectively constitute wall mounting interfaceframework 62 to complete wall understructure 24.

Conversely, if conditional 450 tests positively, process 400 followsbranch 460 to operation 462 to apply and attach interior wall coveringmaterial 26 to stud interface wall 83 along wall finishing face 87defined thereby. Stud interface wall 83 is a part of each finishing stud80 that in turn is part of wall understructure 24. Material may beapplied in one or more layers, coatings, or the like; and may involvevarious procedures and operations to define finished surface 28 with adesired appearance. Collectively, the same forms finished wall cover 27with finished surface 28 to the interior. With preparation of finishedwall cover 27 that adequately defines finished surface 28, finished wall22 is complete and process 400 halts at flag 470.

Any patent, patent application, or other document cited in the presentapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entiretyherein—except to the extent expressly stated to the contrary. Anyconjecture, discovery, experiment, estimation, finding, guesswork,hypothesis, idealization, investigation, model, operating principle ormechanism, prophetic description, representation, speculation, theory,test, test or experimental results, or the like relating to any aspectof the present application is provided to enhance understanding of thesubject matter thereof without restricting any patent claim thatfollows—except to the extent the foregoing is expressly andunambiguously recited in such patent claims. The organization ofapplication content under one or more headings aims to enhanceunderstanding of such content and promote application readability, butthese headings are not intended to affect the scope, meaning, substance,or “prior art” status of such content, except to the extent (if any)unambiguously expressed to the contrary in connection with each specificinstance thereof. No patent claim hereof or innovation otherwisedescribed herein should be understood to include a clause with a “meansfor” or “step for” performing a function (e.g., means plus functionclause or step plus function clause, respectively), unless expresslyspecified by reciting within such clause “means for . . . ” or “step for. . . ” followed in close proximity by a function in gerund (“-ing”)form. Except to the extent expressly indicated to the contrary, aspectsrecited in a process or method claim (such “aspects” collectively referto any acts, actions, activities, clauses, conditions, conditionals,contingencies, elements, events, features, gerunds, limitations,operations, phases, phrases, stages, statements, steps, relationships,or the like) may be performed in any order or sequence irrespective ofcardinality or otherwise. Furthermore, any two or more of such aspectsmay be performed simultaneously, concurrently, or overlapping in time.Indeed, no order, sequence, concurrence, simultaneity, or overlap of twoor more of such aspects results just because the process or methodclaim: (a) recites one of these aspects before another within the claimlanguage, (b) precedes the first occurrence of an aspect with anindefinite article (“a” or “an”) or no article (as is commonplace for aplural noun, a proper noun, a mass or uncountable noun, an abstractnoun, a number, a noun followed by a number, an prepositions, any, all,some, many, several, another, each, and certain other types ofterminology in the English language) followed by a one or moresubsequent occurrences of such aspect preceded by a definite article(“the” or “said”), (c) ordinal numbers in word form (first, second,third, . . . ) each precede the same identifier, descriptor, item, orthe like to distinguish between them (e.g., first device, second device,third device, . . . ; first one of the modules, second one of themodules, third one of the modules, . . . ; or the like), or (d) theprocess/method claim includes alphabetical or cardinal number labelingto improve readability, organization, or the like—except to the extentthe content of such claim properly construed unambiguously imposes aparticular order, sequence, concurrence, simultaneity, or overlap as totwo or more of its aspects. To the extent a particular order, sequence,concurrence, simultaneity, or overlap is imposed as to certain aspectsof a process/method claim, but not all aspects of such claim, the samedoes not impose any order, sequence, concurrence, simultaneity, oroverlap as to any other aspect listed before, after, or between suchcertain aspects.

The subject matter of the foregoing description and any drawing figuresof the present application is not all-inclusive or exhaustive—beingmerely representative and non-exclusively exemplary. With respect to anypatent claim that follows or innovation otherwise described herein,those of ordinary skill in the art pertaining to the present applicationwill recognize that the same can be practiced without one or moredetails included in the description; and will also recognize suchinnovation or patent claim can be practiced with one or more additionalfeatures, elements, aspects, or the like not recited therein. Further,any obvious alteration, modification, or variation that may result fromthe present application teachings is also within the scope of anyproperly construed patent claim appended hereto or innovation otherwisedescribed. Accordingly, the information provided in the precedingwriting and/or any accompanying drawing figure is not intended toconstrict, limit, restrict, reduce, restrain, or otherwise narrow thescope of any patent claim that follows—as compared to the scope of suchpatent claim defined by the language recited therein when properlyconstrued.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process, comprising: providing a studinterconnector including a first stud receiver with two ears opposite asecond stud receiver with two arms and a finishing stud defining a wallfinishing face and two side faces each extending away from the wallfinishing face; attaching the stud interconnector and the finishing studto form a finishing stud subassembly in which the two ears each contacta distinct one of the two side faces; receiving a structural studbetween the two arms of the finishing stud subassembly; determiningalignment status of the finishing stud while the structural stud isbetween the two arms; selecting a position of the second stud receiverin response to the alignment status from a position adjustment rangerelative to the structural stud; and fastening the structural stud andthe finishing stud subassembly in the position.
 2. The process of claim1, in which the finishing stud is comprised of a metallic material andthe structural stud is comprised of a wood material, and a finishingstud load-bearing capacity is less than 60% of a structural stud loadbearing capacity with respect to longitudinal compression loading. 3.The process of claim 1, which includes: providing a sill plate, a wallplate, several other stud interconnectors, several other finishingstuds, and a wall support frame including the structural stud andseveral other structural studs each extending between the sill plate andthe wall plate; attaching a selected one of the other studinterconnectors to a selected one of the other finishing studs to formone other finishing stud subassembly; evaluating alignment of theselected one of the other finishing studs included in the one otherfinishing stud subassembly relative to one or more finishing stud frameextension constructs each including a respective one of the otherfinishing studs attached to a respective one of the other structuralstuds with a respective one of the other stud interconnectors; attachingthe one other finishing stud subassembly to a selected one of thestructural studs in a position responsive to the evaluating of thealignment; mounting the selected one of the other finishing studs to thesill plate and the wall plate to increase by one the one or morefinishing stud frame extension constructs; repeating the evaluating ofthe alignment, the attaching of the one other subassembly, and themounting of the selected one of the other finishing studs to form afinishing stud framework from a desired quantity of the finishing studframe extension constructs; and applying finishing material to thefinishing stud framework.
 4. The process of claim 1, in which: thefinishing stud includes an interface wall defining the wall finishingface and two opposed sidewalls each defining a respective one of the twostud side faces and being set apart to define a channel therebetween;the first stud receiver includes a receiver tab and two receiver slotseach defined between the receiver tab and a respective one of the twoears; and the attaching of the interconnector includes receiving the twoopposed sidewalls each in a different one of the two receiver slots andthe receiver tab in the channel to dispose the two opposed sidewallsbetween the two ears and about the receiver tab.
 5. The process of claim4, which includes: the finishing stud being comprised of a metallicmaterial and the structural stud being comprised of a wood material; thefinishing stud defining a first end portion, a second end portionlongitudinally opposing the first end portion, and a bridge portiontherebetween; clipping the finishing stud between the two ears of thefirst stud receiver along the intermediate portion of the finishingstud; providing a wall support frame including a sill plate, a wallplate, and the structural stud longitudinally extending between the sillplate and the wall plate; and mounting the first end portion of thefinishing stud to the sill plate and the second end portion to the wallplate.
 6. The process of claim 5, in which the interconnector is definedby a metal piece shaped with a cross-connection and two elongate siderails spaced-apart to extend away from the cross-connection opposite oneanother, the two elongate side rails each define a respective one of thetwo ears of the first stud receiver and a respective one of the two armsof the second stud receiver, the cross-connection defines the receivertab approximately centered relative to the two ears, the two ears areapproximately planar each relative to a different one of two parallelplanes, and the receiver tab is approximately planer relative to atransverse plane perpendicular to the two parallel planes.
 7. Theprocess of claim 5, which includes: engaging the finishing stud and thefirst stud receiver in bearing contact to inhibit placement of one orboth of the two ears past the wall finishing face; bracing the finishingstud with the finishing stud frame extension construct to constrainrelative motion thereof; applying a first fastener through the firststud receiver to bear thereagainst and extend into or through thefinishing stud while clipped to the first stud receiver in performanceof the attaching of the interconnector; applying a second fastenerthrough the second stud receiver to bear thereagainst and extend into orthrough the structural stud in performance of the fastening of thestructural stud and the finishing stud subassembly in the position;accounting for warping of the structural stud by setting the position toapproximate a result provided with an unwarped structural stud; and afinishing stud load-bearing capacity is less than 40% of a structuralstud load-bearing capacity with respect to a longitudinal compressionload.
 8. The process of claim 7, in which: the structural stud definestwo side faces and two opposed stud faces set apart by the two sidefaces, and a stud width between the two opposed faces is greater than astud thickness between the two side faces; a first distance separatesthe two arms approximate to the stud thickness and the two arms eachextend closer to one of the two side faces than another of the two sidefaces after the receiving of the structural stud between the two arms,and the first distance is less than the stud width; the finishing studextends between the two ears a second distance greater than the firstdistance; the bracing of the finishing stud includes a strut defined bythe stud interconnector.
 9. A system, comprising: a finishing studincluding a first end portion, a second end portion longitudinallyopposing the first end portion, an interface wall, two opposed sidewallseach extending away from the interface wall, and the finishing studbeing comprised of a metallic material; a stud interconnection braceincluding a finishing stud receiver, a structural stud receiverspaced-apart opposite the finishing stud receiver, and a stiffness toresist relative motion between the finishing stud receiver and thestructural stud receiver during intended use; the finishing studreceiver including two opposed side tabs to each contact a different oneof the two opposed sidewalls, defining a first fastener opening, andbeing structured to inhibit movement of either one of the two opposedside tabs past the face wall if the finishing stud receiver engages thefinishing stud to connect therewith; and the structural stud receiverincluding two opposed side arms and defining a second fastener opening.10. The system of claim 9, in which the finishing stud receiver includesmeans for clipping the finishing stud between the two opposed side tabsand pressing the two opposed side tabs each against the different one ofthe two opposed sidewalls.
 11. The system of claim 9, in which: the twoopposed sidewalls are spaced-apart to define a recess therebetween; thefinishing stud receiver includes a receiver tab and two slots eachdefined between the receiver tab and a different one of the two opposedside tabs; and the finishing stud receiver is structured to receive thetwo opposed sidewalls each in a different one of the two slots about thereceiver tab and to dispose the receiver tab in the recess if thefinishing stud receiver engages the finishing stud to connect therewith.12. The system of claim 11, which includes: a first fastener; and afinishing stud subassembly comprising the finishing stud fastened to theinterconnection brace with the first fastener extending through thefirst fastener opening and into or through the finishing stud.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, in which the subassembly includes a second fastener;the structural stud and the structural stud receiver of theinterconnection brace are fastened together with the second fastenerextending through the second fastener opening into or through thestructural stud.
 14. The system of claim 9, which includes a wallsupport frame including a sill plate, a wall plate, and the structuralstud extending between the sill plate and the wall plate.
 15. Anapparatus, comprising: a stud interconnector including: a first endportion defining a first stud receiver, a second end portion defining asecond stud receiver opposite the first stud receiver, a stud supportbridge portion fixed between the first end portion and the second endportion, and a stiffness to resist relative motion between the firststud receiver and the second stud receiver while used as intended; thefirst stud receiver including: a stud clip with two opposed clip membersresiliently biased to provide compressive stud contact by firmlypressing thereagainst, a tongue member, two slots each defined betweenthe tongue member and a different one of the two clip members, and afirst fastener opening defined through the first stud receiver; thesecond stud receiver including: two arms disposed opposite one another,the two arms defining a continuously variable position range, and asecond fastener opening defined through the second stud receiver; andthe stud interconnector extending a first distance projected along areference axis centered between the two clip members and the two arms, asecond distance separating the two clip members transverse to thereference axis, a third distance separating the two arms transverse tothe reference axis, the second distance being less than 50% of the firstdistance, and the second distance being greater than the third distance.16. The apparatus of claim 15, in which the stud interconnector includesa unitary piece of sheet metal structured to define a cross-connectionand two elongate side rails each meeting the cross-connection atapproximately a ninety-degree angle, the two elongate side rails eachdefine a respective one of the two clip members of the first studreceiver and a respective one of the two stud receiver arms of thesecond stud receiver, the cross-connection defines the tongue memberapproximately centered relative to the two elongate side rails.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 15, which includes: a wood stud, and a metal studwith an interface wall and two walls oppositely extending away from theinterface wall and spaced apart to define a recess between the twowalls; the metal stud being fastened to first stud receiver portionwhile intermeshed together with the two walls each received in arespective one of the two slots to flank the tongue member and the twoclip members disposed thereabout; and the wood stud being fastened tothe second stud receiver while received between the two arms.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 15, which includes a finishing stud clipped betweenthe two clip members, the finishing stud comprising an interface walldefining a wall finishing face and two walls set apart to define achannel therebetween opposite the wall finishing face, the two wallseach extending away from the interface wall and into a respective one ofthe two slots with the two clip members each pressing against arespective one of the two walls and the channel receiving the tonguemember between the two walls.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, whichincludes: a finishing stud being attached to the finishing stud with afirst fastener extending through the first fastener opening and into orthrough the finishing stud; and means for bracing the first studreceiver.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, which includes: a wall supportframe with a sill plate and a wall plate and the structural studextending therebetween; and the structural stud being attached to thesecond stud receiver with a second fastener extending through the secondfastener opening and into or through the structural stud.